Research Study:
​​​Physical Activity in Children with
Blindness/Visual Impairment

Dear parents of children with blindness/visual impairment,

Would you like your child to receive a free Movband step-counter (like a Fitbit) AND up to $50 in gift cards for participating in a study about movement and physical activity for children with blindness/visual impairment?

If you answered yes, WE WANT YOU!
     
You may know that children who engage in regular physical activity are more likely to have an active lifestyle in adulthood, but did you know that:
  • Nearly 70% of school-aged children with blindness/visual impairment in the United States do not participate in even a limited physical education curriculum (Markel, 2012).
  • Youth with blindness/visual impairment are 1.5 times more likely to have unhealthy weight status and obesity than their peers without a visual impairment/blindness in adulthood (Weil et al., 2002).
     
Researchers at five universities are collaborating on a study designed to better understand physical activity behavior in children who are blind/visually impaired. The more we know, the better we can support their physical activity and get them moving! 
     
We would like to invite you and your child to participate in this project. Children between the ages of 8 and 18 can participate in the study.
     
​If you and your child decide to participate, you will be asked to complete 3 stages, with incentives for completing each stage:
Stage 1 – Online Surveys (parent only):
You will complete three online surveys addressing your child’s background and how you feel about your child’s movement and physical capabilities. It will take around 30-45 minutes total to complete all surveys in this stage, and they do not have to be completed in one sitting. A $15 gift card will be e-mailed for completing this stage.

Stage 3 – Motor Skills Performance and Tracking (parent and child):
At time(s) convenient for you and your child, you will video your child performing several motor skills using a personal smart phone or tablet. Also in this stage, your child will wear a step-counter (like a Fitbit) on their wrist for seven days. Videos and step-counter data will be sent to me (Ali Brian). A $20 gift card will be e-mailed for completing this stage, and you can keep the Movband 4 wristband step-counter (a $65 value).
Stage 2 – Online Interview(s) (child only):
At time(s) convenient for you and your child, your child will complete online (e.g., Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams) interview(s). The interviews can be conducted in one 60-minute time block or two 30-minute time blocks. A $15 gift card will be e-mailed for completing this stage.


​Next Steps:
If you are interested in participating, please proceed by clicking the following link: 
https://wvu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eh4pIEhmafnKs4e
Please forward this information to your contacts who may also be interested!

​With kind regards,
Ali Brian, PhD
University of South Carolina
803-777-3101
[email protected]
*This study, Factors Supporting Holistic Child and Adolescent Health for those with Visual Impairments, is a joint collaboration between researchers at the University of South Carolina, Pepperdine University, Louisiana Tech University, The State University of New York–Brockport, and West Virginia University. Internal Review Board (IRB) approval has been granted by the University of South Carolina.